Choctaw Nation UASIPP

The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP) is an opportunity for state, local, and tribal governments to partner with private sector entities, such as UAS operators or manufacturers, to accelerate safe UAS integration. The program will help the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) craft new enabling rules that allow more complex low-altitude operations by:

Identifying ways to balance local and national interests related to UAS integration

Improving communications with local, state and tribal jurisdictions

Addressing security and privacy risks

Accelerating the approval of operations that currently require special authorizations.

The Program is expected foster a meaningful dialogue on the balance between local and national interests related to UAS integration, and provide actionable information to the USDOT on expanded and universal integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is one of ten (10) selectees that are part of the program.

ABOUT

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP)

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP) is an initiative announced in October 2017 by President Trump, to begin safely testing and validating advanced operations for UAS (“drones”) in partnership with tribal, state and local governments in select jurisdictions. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is one of 10 selectees announced from a competitive pool of more than 200 tribal, state and city governments.

Results from this Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilot program will be used to accelerate the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace and to realize the benefits of unmanned technology in our economy.

The initiative will tackle the most significant challenges to integrating drones into the national airspace and reduce risks to public safety and security. It is designed to provide regulatory certainty and stability for tribal, state and local governments who are accepted into the program.

Limited testing will begin in a few months in select regions – starting in Southeastern Oklahoma – with a focus on agricultural and public safety applications. Public stakeholder participation and feedback is key and necessary. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will announce a series of public events soon to discuss opportunities for industry engagement, and also to seek community involvement.